Events

Members

To unlock all of features of Rams On Demand please take a brief moment to register. Registering is not only quick and easy, it also allows you access to additional features such as live chat, private messaging, and a host of other apps exclusive to Rams On Demand.

Mock drafts are for the most part useless. They’re even more useless before free agency, when needs are filled and created by the movement of veterans players.

With that caveat, and acknowledging that some of you will call this the “worst . . . mock . . . ever” regardless of who’s listed on it, here’s a completely meaningless projection, crafted with the input of an actual scout. Who is employed. By a team. In the NFL.

In recent years, the Jaguars have drafted defensive linemen like the Lions used to select receivers. Clowney’s potential can’t be overlooked, and coach Gus Bradley surely believes he can push the right buttons to get the most out of him.

Owner Jimmy Haslam’s effort to land Jim Harbaugh shows a willingness to swing for the fences. Manziel is the potential home run in this year’s draft class. If the Browns strike out, well, they’re used to that.

Facing the potential departures of Justin Tuck and Linval Joseph, the Giants need to restore some bite to a defensive line that didn’t necessarily carry them to a pair of Super Bowl appearances, but helped deliver victory once they got there.

Coach Bruce Arians is trying too hard to create the impression he won’t be drafting a quarterback, possibly in order to make anyone drafting below him who needs a quarterback believe he won’t be drafting a quarterback.

Philly may prefer Clinton-Dix, which could spark a game of leapfrog. Without trades, Pryor gets the pick and helps fill a clear area of need.

23. Chiefs: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State.

The Chiefs don’t have many glaring weaknesses. Cornerback is one of them. In a division with Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers, that’s a problem.

24. Bengals: Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State.

Shazier ran a blazing 4.36-second 40-yard dash with a bad hamstring. Adding him would require some shuffling of the linebackers, since Shazier is suited to the weak side. Given his talents and Vontaze Burfict’s versatility, that’s a good problem to have.

25. Chargers: Trai Turner, G, LSU.

Philip Rivers, the 2013 comeback player of the year, came back from if anything a subpar offensive line. Turner could make it even less subpar.

26. Browns (from Colts): Dri Archer, running back, Kent State.

The Browns keep swinging for the fences with a guy who could become the nextChris Johnson. (Before he went from being great to pretty good.)

27. Saints: Odell Beckham, receiver, LSU.

The stable of weapons gets replenished, partially. Jimmy Graham still needs an explanation.

Trent Baalke may be tempted to take a receiver in order to wash away the lingering residue of the A.J. Jenkins selection. The bigger need is at cornerback, although it would be better if a bigger cornerback were available at this spot.

With Clinton McDonald likely leaving via free agency, the Seahawks add depth and get younger in the interior defensive line. Hageman’s pass rush skills will help replace Michael Bennett, who would slide inside from time to time on passing downs.

Yeah, Bortles. Yeah, Manziel. But the Texans lucked into J.J. Watt when a pair of teams from their own division took Jake Locker and Blaine Gabbert three years ago. That lesson should not be lost on the Texans. Especially with Jacksonville on the clock two picks later.

The flirtation with center Alex Mack suggests that the Jags are willing to take chances. Manziel fits with Jedd Fisch’s creative offensive approach and, more importantly, Manziel will make the Jaguars into a marquee team. If he’s successful. If he’s not, they’ll get another crack at another quarterback soon enough.

Receiver becomes less of a need with Golden Tate in the fold. With the Lions not exercising the fifth-year option on Nick Fairley as a motivational tool and withNdamukong Suh still carrying a $22 million-plus cap number, they need a fresh face at the position.

The Titans have done a good job of keeping their cards close to the vest regarding the need for a quarterback. As May approaches, it’s becoming more obvious that they need to take a chance on someone, three years after they took a chance on Jake Locker.

Given the departures of Justin Tuck and Linval Joseph, the Giants need to restore some bite to a defensive line that didn’t necessarily carry them to a pair of Super Bowl appearances, but helped deliver victory once they got there.

13. Rams: Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, safety, Alabama.

Keeping Rodger Saffold allows the Rams to address the last line of defense.

Shazier ran a blazing 4.36-second 40-yard dash with a bad hamstring. Adding him would require some shuffling of the linebackers, since Shazier is suited to the weak side. Given his talents and Vontaze Burfict’s versatility, that’s a good problem to have.